Pathways connecting inflammation and Lung Cancer (2016 American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and at only 18%, it has one of the lowest 5-year survival rates of all malignancies. With its highly complex mutational landscape, treatment strategies against lung cancer have proved largely ineffective. However with the recent success of immunotherapy trials in lung cancer, there is renewed enthusiasm in targeting the immune component of tumors. Macrophages make up the majority of the immune infiltrate in tumors and are a key cell type linking inflammation and cancer. Although the mechanisms through which inflammation promotes cancer are not fully understood, two connected hypotheses have emerged: an intrinsic pathway, driven by genetic alterations that lead to neoplasia and inflammation, and an extrinsic pathway, driven by inflammatory conditions that increase cancer risk. Here, we discuss the contribution of macrophages to these pathways and subsequently their roles in established tumors. We highlight studies investigating the association of macrophages with lung cancer prognosis and discuss emerging therapeutic strategies for targeting macrophages in the tumor microenvironment.

Read More: http://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.201508-1545CI#.VrOZtuZJ-Ul

World Cancer Day - 4 February 2016

In recognition of World Cancer Day on February 4, we are supporting the World Cancer Day 2016: ‘We Can. I Can.’ campaign. The global campaign highlights how everyone, as a collective or as individuals, can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer. 

Next year alone, nearly 9 million people are likely to die of cancer, and left unchecked, the number of deaths will increase to 13 million per year by 2030. World Cancer Day is a chance to reflect on what you can do: make a pledge and take action. Whatever you choose to do ‘We Can. I Can.’ will make a difference to the fight against cancer. The initiative outlines nine targets to be achieved by 2025 with the overarching goal to reduce cancer deaths by 25% by 2025. The targets include strengthening health systems, measuring cancer burden and impact of cancer plans in all countries, reducing exposure to cancer risk factors, universal coverage of HPV and HBV vaccination, reduction of stigma and dispelling myths about cancer, universal access to screening and early detection for cancer, improvement in access to services across the cancer care spectrum, universal availability of pain control and distress management, and improvement in education and training of healthcare professionals.

According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.8 million new cases in 2012, and is responsible for nearly one in five deaths. While most understand that smoking is the single greatest risk factor for lung cancer, regular exposure to secondhand smoke also increases the risk. In addition, environmental exposure to radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium, and uranium have all been linked to lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer also increases with a history of cancer in another part of the body, age, family history, radiation to the chest area, and lung diseases like COPD and tuberculosis.

Pink ribbon with L.O.V.E. for Breast Cancer Awareness

These days masterpiece L.O.V.E. (Milan, Italy) by famous Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was laying with the pink ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness! Action was organised by Lega Tumori Lilt Milano!

The controversial monument is made in marble, about 4 meters high and has been allocated on a base that brings the sculpture to a total height of 11 meters. during the making process, the famed italian artist changed the title from ‘omnia munda mundis’ – literally meaning ‘to the pure [men], all things [are] pure’, a latin sentence that has entered a relatively common usage in many countries – to ‘L.O.V.E.’

World Lung Cancer Day 2015

World Lung Cancer Day is a grassroots effort, started by a lung cancer survivor and embraced by the lung cancer community. It is a day to celebrate survivors, remember those who have passed and spread awareness to the general public about lung cancer. It is a day created by, and for, people with lung cancer.

GOAL: The campaign aims to raise awareness about the global impact of lung cancer and encourages deeper understanding of lung cancer risk factors beyond smoking, as well as the importance of early treatment. Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and understanding this disease is key to preventing future deaths.
STATISTICS: The impact of lung cancer is widespread; global statistics include:
 Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 1.8 million new cases in 2012, and is responsible for nearly one in five cancer deaths.
 Lung cancer claims more lives yearly than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
 Tobacco use is the most significant risk factor for cancer causing an estimated 70 percent of global lung cancer deaths.
 The risk of getting lung cancer increases with age and is greater in men than in women.
 The highest incidence of lung cancer is in North America and Europe; and the lowest incidence is in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
RISK FACTORS: While smoking is widely recognized as a risk factor for lung cancer, other lessor known risks are also important:
 A history of cancer in another part of the body increases your risk.
 If one of your parents or siblings has had lung cancer, your risk of
developing lung cancer may be increased.
 Radiation increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
 Radon, asbestos, arsenic, beryllium and uranium have all been
linked to lung cancer.
 Diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and TB may increase lung cancer risk by 50 percent to 100 percent.
PARTICIPANTS: More than 70,000 global FIRS members have united for World Lung Cancer Day, including: 

American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) 

Asociación Latinoamericana del Thorax (ALAT)

American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR)

European Respiratory Society (ERS)

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) 

Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS)

Ways to reduce your cancer risk on World Cancer Day 2015

Today is a World Cancer Day 2015!
We are presenting 9 simple ways to reduce your cancer risk!